Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B11/00—Wrapping, e.g. partially or wholly enclosing, articles or quantities of material, in strips, sheets or blanks, of flexible material
  • B65B11/02—Wrapping articles or quantities of material, without changing their position during the wrapping operation, e.g. in moulds with hinged folders
  • B65B11/025—Wrapping articles or quantities of material, without changing their position during the wrapping operation, e.g. in moulds with hinged folders by webs revolving around stationary articles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B67/00—Apparatus or devices facilitating manual packaging operations; Sack holders
  • B65B67/08—Wrapping of articles
  • B65B67/085—Wrapping of articles using hand-held dispensers for stretch films

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the technical field of devices for the application of a film to products to be packaged; specifically, the film is used for packaging products placed on a pallet (also known as a "pallet").
• a pallet also known as a "pallet”
• the subject of the present invention is a dispenser for the application of a film to a product to be packaged.
• the dispensers currently available on the market do not assist the operator in maintaining a correct posture during packaging operations.
• packaging activities require the film to be applied continuously around the pallet and therefore the operator is required to move from a crouching position, to apply the film to the base of the pallet, to an upright position, to apply the film to the top of the pallet.
• the operator may start from the top of the pallet and then move from the upright position to the crouching position.
• a further drawback of manual film application dispensers according to the state of the art is due to the fact that the film is applied by unwinding a roll on which the film is wound. Such unwinding is not controlled, but depends on the speed and force with which the operator moves around the pallet to apply the film.
• a pallet wrapped by a film that is not sufficiently taut may be unstable during subsequent handling and transport operations.
• An unstable pallet may cause products to fall and compromise (or at least hinder) transport activities.
• To the difficulties in handling and shipping the pallet is also added the risk that products fallen from the pallet may break or deteriorate. Therefore, wrapping a pallet using film that is not sufficiently taut may have a negative effect on the stability of the pallet itself and may cause significant economic damage to the company.
• dispensers for the application of film according to the state of the art are described in FR2727075A1 and DE202014102068U1 .
• the purpose of the present invention is to provide a dispenser for the application of a film capable of overcoming at least in part the aforementioned drawbacks.
• the purpose of the present invention is to achieve an ergonomic dispenser, such as to allow the operator to maintain a substantially upright posture during the packaging of a product.
• a further purpose of the present invention is to reduce the consumption of film, by adjusting its tension during packaging operations.
• the reference number 1 denotes a dispenser for the application of a film 11 according to the invention as a whole.
• Said dispenser 1 is suitable for applying the film 11 to a product to be packaged 7.
• the expression "product to be packaged” is generic and refers both to a single product to be covered with the film 11 and to a plurality of products placed on a pallet, where the entire pallet must be covered with the film.
• the dispenser 1 comprises a roll-holder rod 2 and a frame 3.
• the roll-holder rod 2 is rotatable about a rotation axis R; furthermore, the roll-holder rod 2 is suitable for engaging a roll 10 of film 11. In particular, the roll-holder rod 2 can be inserted into the roll 10.
• the frame 3 is configured to support said roll-holder rod 2.
• the roll-holder rod 2 extends between a first end 2a, connected to the frame by means of a universal joint 4, and a second end 2b.
• the universal joint 4 is a hinge.
• the universal joint 4 is a ball joint.
• the roll-holder rod 2 is configurable between a film unwinding position ( figure 3b ), in which the second end 2b is engaged with the frame, and a roll replacement position ( figures 3-3a ), in which the second end 2b is disengaged from the frame.
• the second end 2b is elastically engaged with the frame 3.
• the frame 3 comprises a braking member 5 configured to adjust the rotation of the roll-holder rod 2.
• the braking member 5 acts on the roll-holder rod 2 and therefore the rotation of the roll-holder rod 2 is adjustable by operating the braking member 5.
• the frame 3 comprises at least one rolling member 32 to facilitate the handling of the dispenser 1 by an operator ( figure 7 ).
• a seat 30 is provided in the frame 3 wherein the appendix 20 can be housed.
• the appendix 20 When the roll-holder rod 2 is in the film unwinding position, the appendix 20 is in the extended position and is housed in the seat 30. To release the roll-holder rod from the frame and place it in the roll replacement position, the appendix 20 is translated to the retracted position.
• said actuation means 6 are operable by the operator and act on an elastic means (not illustrated in the accompanying drawings).
• the elastic means By operating the actuation means 6, the elastic means is compressed and, by compressing the elastic means, the appendix 20 can be arranged in the retracted position ( figure 2a ). Releasing the actuation means 6, the elastic means relaxes and returns the appendix 20 to the extended position ( figure 2 ). Therefore, the elastic means allows the appendix 20 to elastically engage the seat 30 of the frame 3.
• the roll-holder rod 2 comprises a flapped region 21 provided with a plurality of flaps 22. Said plurality of flaps 22 is suitable for engaging the roll 10 so as to prevent the idle rotation of the roll 10 with respect to the roll-holder rod 2.
• the roll 10 cannot rotate with respect to the roll-holder rod 2, because the roll 10 is constrained to the roll-holder rod 2 by means of the plurality of flaps 22.
• the flapped region 21 is elongated and extends predominantly along a direction parallel to the rotation axis R.
• the plurality of flaps 22 comprises at least two flaps, preferably four.
• the flaps 22 extend predominantly along a direction parallel to the rotation axis R and are angularly equidistant from one another.
• the flaps 22 are made of a flexible material, preferably a polymer.
• the flaps 22 can engage both "traditional” rolls (in which the film 11 is wound around a tubular support) and rolls in which the film 11 is rolled upon itself without the tubular support.
• the roll-holder rod 2 comprises at least one elastically deformable member 23 suitable for engaging the roll 10 so as to prevent the idle rotation of the roll 10 with respect to the roll-holder rod 2.
• the at least one elastically deformable member 23 is a leaf spring. Therefore, the roll 10 cannot rotate with respect to the roll-holder rod 2, since the roll 10 is integral with the roll-holder rod 2 by means of the at least one elastically deformable member 23.
• the at least one elastically deformable member 23 comprises two, three or four elastically deformable members 23.
• such elastically deformable members 23 are angularly equidistant from one another.
• the presence of elastically deformable members 23 improves the coupling between the roll 10 and the roll-holder rod 2. Furthermore, such elastically deformable members 23 can engage both "traditional" rolls (in which the film 11 is wound around a tubular support) and rolls in which the film 11 is rolled upon itself without the tubular support.
• the elastically deformable members 23, in the form of leaf springs, are made of galvanised steel.
• the frame 3 comprises a rotating joint 31 engageable with the second end 2b.
• the seat 30 is formed in the rotating joint 31.
• the braking member 5 comprises a clamp 50 and friction adjustment means 51.
• the clamp 50 is operatively connected to the rotating joint 31.
• the friction adjustment means 51 act on the clamp 50, so as to control the rotation of the rotating joint 31. Therefore, the friction adjustment means 51 are configured to adjust the rotation of the rotating joint 31 and hence of the roll-holder rod 2.
• the friction adjustment means 51 comprise: a locking pin 510, an elastic element 511 and a knob 512.
• the knob 512 is engaged with the locking pin 510, in such a way that the rotation of the knob 512 in one direction is associated with a compression of the elastic element 511, whereas the rotation of the knob 512 in the opposite direction is associated with the relaxation of the elastic element 511.
• the directional arrow of figure 4a indicates a clockwise rotation of the knob 512. Said clockwise rotation corresponds to an advancement of the knob 512 (and hence a compression of the elastic element 511) along the direction defined by the arrow of figure 4b .
• the elastic element 511 acts on the clamp 50, so that the compression of the elastic element 511 results in a greater tightening of the clamp 50 on the rotating joint 31. Therefore, greater/lesser compression of the elastic element 511 is associated with an increase/decrease of the friction, and thus of the braking force, between the clamp 50 and the rotating joint 31.
• the clamp 50 comprises a pair of jaws 50', 50" pressing against the rotating joint 31.
• the two jaws of the pair of jaws 50', 50" are hinged to each other.
• the pressure with which the clamp 50, in particular the pair of jaws 50', 50" acts on the rotating joint 31 defines the braking force exerted by the braking member 5 on said rotating joint 31.
• the locking pin 510 connects the pair of jaws 50', 50" to one another, preferably at the end opposite to that at which the two jaws are hinged to each other ( figure 4 ).
• the knob 512 is screwed onto the locking pin 510 and, by rotating the knob, it is possible to adjust the elastic force with which the elastic element 511 presses against the two jaws of the clamp 50.
• the friction adjustment means 51 further comprise a clutch lever 513.
• actuating said clutch lever 513 it is possible to reduce the braking force exerted by the clamp 50 on the rotating joint 31 until the rotating joint 31 becomes idly rotatable.
• the clutch lever 513 is a first-class lever rotatable about a fulcrum axis F.
• Said clutch lever 513 comprises a resisting portion 513R engaged with the elastic element 511 and an opposite actuation portion 513A.
• the clutch lever 513 rotates about the fulcrum axis F and reduces the action of the elastic element 511 on the clamp 50. Therefore, by actuating the clutch lever 513, the pressure of the elastic element 511 on the clamp 50 is reduced and thus the friction that the clamp 50 (in particular the pair of jaws 50', 50") exerts on the rotating joint 31 is reduced.
• the braking member 5 comprises a plurality of cooling openings 515 is formed suitable for dissipating the heat generated by the action of the braking member 5 on the rotation of the roll-holder rod 2.
• the friction adjustment means 51 act on the clamp 50 in order to control the rotation of the rotating joint 31. Therefore, the friction generated at the interface between the clamp 50 and the rotating joint 31 produces heat which is dissipated through the plurality of cooling openings 515.
• the plurality of cooling openings 515 is formed in the clamp 50, in particular in at least one jaw of the pair of jaws 50', 50".
• the roll-holder rod 2 also comprises a roll support 24 positioned at the first end 2a and suitable for supporting the roll 10.
• Said roll support 24 comprises a truncated-conical wall portion 25 converging towards the rotation axis R and/or a plurality of ribs 26 arranged radially with respect to the rotation axis R.
• the truncated-conical wall portion 25 and/or the plurality of ribs 26 is configured to engage the roll 10 by interference.
• the interference engagement between the roll support 24 and the roll 10 prevents slippage phenomena of the roll 10 with respect to the roll-holder rod 2 from occurring; in this way it is possible to obtain a desired tensioning level of the film 11 by the action of the braking member 5.
• the roll support 24 is made of a polymeric or composite material.
• said roll support is a composite made of a polyamide matrix (or filament) reinforced with carbon fibres.
• the at least one rolling member 32 is a wheel that allows manual movement on the ground - by pushing or dragging - by the operator. Therefore, the operator can carry out packaging operations while maintaining an upright posture, without bending down and without assuming a crouched position ( figure 7 ).
• the frame 3 together with the roll-holder rod 2 in the film unwinding position define a trapezoidal or harp-shaped dispenser 1 (harp-shaped, see figures 8-9 ).
• the frame 3 comprises a lower arm 34 and an upper arm 36, connected to each other by means of a connecting arm 38.
• the connecting arm 38 is inclined, that is, oriented predominantly along a direction incident to the rotation axis R.
• the rolling member 32 is provided in a region where the lower arm 34 and the connecting arm 38 are connected to each other.
• the lower arm 34 and upper arm 36 are substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis R when the roll-holder rod 2 is in the film unwinding position.
• the connecting arm 38 allows the operator to rotate the dispenser 1 around the rolling member 32, so as to bring the centre of gravity of the dispenser 1 closer to the operator.
• the dispenser 1 thus rests on the ground only through the rolling member 32, in this way the operator can push/drag the dispenser while maintaining an upright posture ( figure 7 ).
• the connecting arm 38 allows the operator to push the dispenser 1, which advances by the rotation of the rolling member 32, in an upright position and while keeping the rotation axis R substantially vertical. It is known to the skilled person that the verticality of the rotation axis R favours the unwinding of the film 11 from the roll 10.
• the frame 3 comprises a first handle 3a positioned at a height corresponding approximately to half the height of the roll-holder rod 2 in the film unwinding position.
• the measurement of the height of the roll-holder rod 2 is considered to be taken when the dispenser 1 is resting on the ground.
• the first handle 3a is formed along the connecting arm 38 and preferably approximately at half the length of said connecting arm 38.
• the frame 3 comprises a second handle 3b protruding upward from the frame 3.
• the second handle 3b may protrude up to the height of the user's hip.
• the dispenser 1 also comprises a first sensor for detecting the turns of the roll-holder rod 2 and/or the number of turns around the product to be packaged 7 and/or the number of wrapped pallets. Said first sensor is configured to calculate the meters of unwound film 11.
• the first sensor may detect the number of turns around the product to be packaged 7 and/or the number of wrapped pallets and, knowing the number of turns around the pallet and/or the number of wrapped pallets, it is possible to determine the metres of unwound film 11.
• the dispenser 1 is also equipped with a graphical interface 8 for the operator, for example a display or a screen, where the metres of unwound film 11 and/or the turns of the roll-holder rod 2 and/or the turns of the dispenser 1 around the product to be packaged 7 and/or the number of wrapped pallets are shown.
• a graphical interface 8 for the operator, for example a display or a screen, where the metres of unwound film 11 and/or the turns of the roll-holder rod 2 and/or the turns of the dispenser 1 around the product to be packaged 7 and/or the number of wrapped pallets are shown.
• the braking member 5 is an electromechanical or electromagnetic brake operable by means of at least one button 9.
• the braking member 5 provides four positions associated with:
• the dispenser 1 is provided with a second sensor which detects the braking torque exerted by the braking member 5. Knowing the braking torque, it is possible to identify the tensioning of the film; in particular, through the second sensor it is possible to continuously detect the braking torque which is proportional to the level of tensioning of the film 11.
• the dispenser according to the present invention fulfils the intended purpose.
• the dispenser allows the operator to maintain an upright posture during packaging operations.
• the dispenser is ergonomic and prevents the operator from developing disorders (back pain, tendinitis, etc.) due to packaging operations carried out in incorrect postures.
• the dispenser allows reducing the film consumption by means of an adjustment of the braking member which allows controlling the level of tensioning of the film.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Unwinding Webs (AREA)

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Citations (2)

• 2025
  • 2025-06-27 EP EP25185729.8A patent/EP4671143A2/de active Pending

Patent Citations (2)

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